The World Series of Poker (WSOP) announced yesterday that the total prize pool for the poker championship series is predicted to far exceed initial expectations. Before this year's WSOP kicked off earlier this month, predictions hovered around the $60 million mark. WSOP organizers are now estimating that the total prize pool will likely be closer to $100,000,000.

This estimation is more than double last year's record breaking prize pool of almost $45 million and more than four times 2003's close to $22 million total prize pool. As the WSOP prize pool is largely determined according to the number of players laying down the $10,000 buy-in, the burgeoning prize pool is further testament to the immense popularity of the WSOP.

Although only 19 out of a total of 45 events have been played, with the most hyped events still to come, the prize pool has already topped $23.5 million. Taking this into consideration, WSOP organizers predict that this figure will hit $100,000,000 before the main event starts on July 7th.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Tuesday, 21 June 2005